Remote sensing and Benefits

REMOTE SENSING
Remote sensing is a method of obtaining information about
the properties of an object without coming into physical contact with it
Remote sensing system capture radiation in different
wavelength reflected/emitted by the earths surface features and recorded it
either directly on the film as in case of aerial photography or in digital medium
used for generating the images.
Introduction
The sun is a source of energy or radiation, which provides a very convenient
source of energy for remote sensing. The sun's energy is either reflected, as it is
for visible wavelengths, or absorbed and then reemitted, as it is for thermal
infrared wavelengths.
There are two main types of remote sensing: Passive remote sensing and
Active remote sensing.

Passive

Active

1-Passive sensors detect natural radiation that is emitted or reflected by the

object or surrounding area being observed. Reflected sunlight is the most
common source of radiation measured by passive sensors. Examples of passive
remote sensors include film photography, infrared, and radiometers.
2-Active remote sensing, on the other hand, emits energy in order to scan
objects and areas whereupon a sensor then detects and measures the radiation
that is reflected or backscattered from the target. RADAR is an example of active
remote sensing where the time delay between emission and return is measured,
establishing the location, height, speeds and direction of an object.
Overview

Remote
inaccessible

sensing
areas.

makes

it

possible

Remote

sensing

to

collect

data

applications

on

dangerous

include

or

monitoring

deforestation in areas such as the Amazon Basin, the effects of climate change
on glaciers and Arctic and Antarctic regions, and depth sounding of coastal and
ocean depths. Military collection during the

cold war made use of stand-off

collection of data about dangerous border areas. Remote sensing also replaces
costly and slow data collection on the ground, ensuring in the process that areas
or objects are not disturbed
Principles and Process of Remote Sensing
Remote sensing actually done from satellites as Landsat or airplane or on the
ground. To repeat the essence of the definition above, remote sensing uses
instruments that house sensors to view the spectral, spatial and radiometric
relations of observable objects and materials at a distance. Most sensing modes
are

based

on

sampling

of

photons

corresponding

frequency

in

the

electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.

In much of remote sensing, the process involves an interaction between
incident radiation and the targets of interest. This is exemplified by the use of
imaging systems where the following seven elements are involved. Note,
however that remote sensing also involves the sensing of emitted energy and the
use of non-emitted sensors.

i. Energy Source or Illumination (A) - The first requirement for remote sensing
is to have an energy source which illuminates or provides electromagnetic energy
to the target of interest.
ii. Radiation and the Atmosphere (B) - As the energy travels from its source to
the target, it will come in contact with and interact with the atmosphere it passes
through. This interaction may take place a second time as the energy travels from
the target to the sensor.
iii. Interaction with the Target (C) - Once the energy makes its way to the
target through the atmosphere, it interacts with the target depending on the
properties of both the target and the radiation.
iv. Recording of Energy by the Sensor (D) - After the energy has been
scattered by, or emitted from the target, we require a sensor (remote - not in
contact with the target) to collect and record the electromagnetic radiation.
v. Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E) - The energy recorded by the
sensor has to be transmitted, often in electronic form, to a receiving and
processing station where the data are processed.
vi. Interpretation and Analysis (F) - The processed image is interpreted,
visually and/or digitally or electronically, to extract information about the target,
which was illuminated.
vii. Application (G) - The final element of the remote sensing process is
achieved when we apply the information we have been able to extract from the
imagery about the target in order to better understand it, reveal some new
information, or assist in solving a particular problem.
Types of Remote Sensing System
1- Visual remote sensing system
The human visual system is an example of a
remote sensing system in the general sense. The
sensors in this example are the two types of
photosensitive cells, known as the cones and the
rods, at the retina of the eyes. The cones are
responsible for colour vision. There are three
types of cones, each being sensitive to one of the red, green, and blue regions of
the visible spectrum. Thus, it is not coincidental that the modern computer

display monitors make use of the same three primary colours to generate a
multitude of colours for displaying colour images. The cones are insensitive
under low light illumination condition, when their jobs are taken over by the rods.
The rods are sensitive only to the total light intensity. Hence, everything appears
in shades of grey when there is insufficient light. As the objects/events being
observed are located far away from the eyes, the information needs a carrier to
travel from the object to the eyes. In this case, the information carrier is the
visible light, a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The objects reflect/scatter
the ambient light falling onto them. Part of the scattered light is intercepted by
the eyes, forming an image on the retina after passing through the optical system
of the eyes. The signals generated at the retina are carried via the nerve fibres to
the brain, the central processing unit (CPU) of the visual system. These signals
are processed and interpreted at the brain, with the aid of previous experiences.
The visual system is an example of a "Passive Remote Sensing " system which
depends on an external source of energy to operate. We all know that this system
won't work in darkness.
2- Optical Remote Sensing

In Optical Remote Sensing, optical sensors detect

solar radiation reflected or scattered from the
earth,

forming

taken

by

images

camera

resembling
high

up

in

photographs
space.

The

wavelength region usually extends from the visible

and near infrared VNIR to the short-wave
infrared SWIR. Different materials such as water, soil, vegetation, buildings and
roads reflect visible and infrared light in different ways. They have different
colours and brightness when seen under the sun. The interpretations of optical
images requires the knowledge of the spectral reflectance signatures of the
various materials (natural or man-made) covering the surface of the earth.
3-Infrared Remote Sensing
Infrared remote sensing makes use of infrared sensors to detect infrared
radiation emitted from the Earth's surface. The middle-wave infrared (MWIR) and
long-wave infrared (LWIR) are within the thermal infrared region. These radiations

are emitted from warm objects such as the Earth's surface. They are used in
satellite remote sensing for measurements of the earth's land and sea surface
temperature. Thermal infrared remote sensing is also often used for detection of
forest fires, volcanoes, oil fires.

4-Microwave Remote Sensing

There are some remote sensing satellites which carry
passive or active

microwave sensors. The active

sensors emit pulses of

microwave radiation to

illuminate the areas to be imaged. Images of the earth

surface are formed by measuring the microwave
energy scattered by the ground or sea
back to the sensors. These satellites carry their own "flashlight" emitting
microwaves to illuminate their targets. The images can thus be acquired day

and night . Microwaves have an additional advantage as they can penetrate

clouds . Images can be acquired even when there are clouds covering the earth
surface. A microwave imaging system which can produce high resolution image of
the Earth is the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) . Electromagnetic radiation in
the

microwave wavelength region is used in remote sensing to provide useful

information about the Earth's atmosphere, land and ocean. When microwaves
strike a surface, the proportion of energy scattered back to the sensor depends
on many factors:

 Physical factors such as the dielectric constant of the surface materials

which also depends strongly on the moisture content;
Geometric factors such as surface roughness, slopes, orientation of the
objects relative to the radar beam direction;
The types of landcover (soil, vegetation or man-made objects).
Microwave frequency , polarisation and incident angle.
5-Radar Remote Sensing
Using radar, geographers can effectively map out the
terrain of a territory. Radar works by sending out
radio signals, and then waiting for them to bounce
off the ground and return. By measuring the amount
of time it takes for the signals to return, it is possible
to create a very accurate topographic map.
An important advantage to using radar is that it can penetrate thick clouds and

moisture . This allows scientists to accurately map areas such as rain forests,
which are otherwise too obscured by clouds and rain. Imaging radar systems are
versatile sources of remotely sensed images, providing daynight, all-weather
imaging capability. Radar images are used to map landforms and geologic
structure, soil types, vegetation and crops, and ice and oil slicks on the ocean
surface.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
In synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging, microwave pulses are transmitted by
an antenna towards the earth surface. The microwave energy scattered back to
the spacecraft is measured. The SAR makes use of the radar principle to form an
image by utilising the time delay of the backscattered signals. In real aperture
radar imaging, the ground resolution is limited by the size of the microwave beam
sent out from the antenna.

In this, you will see many remote sensing images

acquired by earth observation satellites. These
remote

sensing

satellites

are

equipped

with

sensors looking down to the earth. They are the

"eyes in the sky" constantly observing the earth as

they

go

round

in

predictable

orbits.

Orbital

platforms collect and transmit data from different

parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, which in
conjunction with larger scale aerial or ground-based sensing and analysis
provides researchers with enough information to monitor trends. Other uses
include different areas of the

earth sciences such as

natural resource

management, agricultural fields such as land usage and conservation, and

national security and overhead, ground-based and stand-off collection on border
areas.
7- Airborne Remote Sensing
In airborne remote sensing, downward or sideward
looking sensors are mounted on an aircraft to obtain
images of the earth's surface. An advantage of
airborne

remote

sensing,

compared

to

satellite

remote sensing, is the capability of offering very high

spatial resolution images (20 cm or less). The

disadvantages are low coverage area and high cost

per unit area of ground coverage . It is not cost-effective to map a large area
using an airborne remote sensing system. Airborne remote sensing missions are
often carried out as one-time operations, whereas earth observation satellites
offer the possibility of continuous monitoring of the earth.
8-Acoustic and near-acoustic remote sensing
Sonar: passive sonar, listening for the sound made
by another object (a vessel, a whale etc); active
sonar, emitting pulses of sounds and listening for
echoes,

used

for

detecting,

ranging

and

measurements of underwater objects and terrain.

Seismograms taken at different locations can locate and measure
earthquakes (after they occur) by comparing the relative intensity and precise
timing.

BENEFITS OF REMOTE SENSING

There are probably hundreds of applications - these are typical:
Meteorology - Study of atmospheric temperature, pressure, water vapour, etc..
Oceanography: Measuring sea surface temperature, mapping ocean currents,
and wave energy spectra and depth sounding of coastal and ocean depths
Glaciology- Measuring ice cap volumes, ice stream velocity, and sea ice
distribution. (Glacial)
Geology- Identification of rock type, mapping faults and structure.
Geodesy- Measuring the figure of the Earth and its gravity field.
Topography and cartography - Improving digital elevation models.
Agriculture Monitoring the biomass of land vegetation
Forest- monitoring the health of crops, mapping soil moisture
Botany- forecasting crop yields.
Hydrology- Assessing water resources from snow, rainfall and underground
aquifers.
Disaster warning and assessment - Monitoring of floods and landslides,
monitoring volcanic activity, assessing damage zones from natural disasters.
Planning applications - Mapping ecological zones, monitoring deforestation,
monitoring urban land use.
Oil and mineral exploration- Locating natural oil seeps and slicks, mapping
geological structures, monitoring oil field subsidence.
Military- developing precise maps for planning, monitoring military infrastructure,
monitoring ship and troop movements
Urban- determining the status of a growing crop
Climate- the effects of climate change on glaciers and Arctic and Antarctic
regions
Sea- Monitoring the extent of flooding
Rock- Recognizing rock types
Space program- is the backbone of the space program
Seismology: as a premonition.
Geographic Information System GIS
A Geographic Information System (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data
for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically

referenced information. GIS also allows the integration of these data sets for
deriving meaningful information and outputting the information derivatives in map
format or tabular format.
Three Views of a GIS
A GIS can be viewed in three ways:
1) The Database View: A GIS is a unique kind of database of the worlda
geographic database (geo database). It is an "Information System for Geography."
Fundamentally, a GIS is based on a structured database that describes the world
in geographic terms.
2) The Map View: A GIS is a set of intelligent maps and other views that show
features and feature relationships on the earth's surface. Maps of the underlying
geographic information can be constructed and used as "windows into the
database" to support queries, analysis, and editing of the information.
3) The Model View: A GIS is a set of information transformation tools that derive
new geographic datasets from existing datasets. These geo-processing functions
take information from existing datasets, apply analytic functions, and write
results into new derived datasets.
By combining data and applying some analytic rules, we can create a model that
helps answer the question you have posed.
Global Positioning System GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite
system (GNSS) that provides reliable location and time information in all weather
and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an
unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is
maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone
with a GPS receiver.
GPS was created and realized by the U.S. Department of Defence (USDOD) and
was originally run with 24 satellites. It was established in 1973 to overcome the
limitations of previous navigation systems.
Basic concept of GPS
A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS
satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages
that include
the time the message was transmitted

 precise orbital information (the ephemeris)

he general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the
almanac).
The receiver uses the messages it receives to determine the transit time of each
message and computes the distance to each satellite. These distances along with
the satellites' locations are used with the possible aid of trilateration, depending
on which algorithm is used, to compute the position of the receiver. This position
is then displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude;
elevation information may be included. Many GPS units show derived information
such as direction and speed, calculated from position changes.
Three satellites might seem enough to solve for position since space has three
dimensions and a position near the Earth's surface can be assumed. However,
even a very small clock error multiplied by the very large

speed of light, the

speed at which satellite signals propagate results in a large positional error.

Therefore receivers use four or more satellites to solve for the receiver's location
and time. The very accurately computed time is effectively hidden by most GPS
applications, which use only the location. A few specialized GPS applications do
however use the time; these include

time transfer, traffic signal timing, and

synchronization of cell phone base stations.

Although four satellites are required for normal operation, fewer apply in special
cases. If one variable is already known, a receiver can determine its position
using only three satellites. For example, a ship or aircraft may have known
elevation. Some GPS receivers may use additional clues or assumptions (such as
reusing the last known altitude, dead reckoning, inertial navigation, or including
information from the vehicle computer) to give a less accurate (degraded) position
when fewer than four satellites are visible.
1. Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Civil Engineering
Remote sensing and GIS techniques become potential and indispensable
tools

for

solving

many

problems

of

civil

engineering.

Remote

sensing

observations provides data on earths resources in a spatial format, GIS corelates different kinds of spatial data and their attribute data, so as to use
them in various fields of civil engineering.

a- In structural engineering:

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) provides designers with feedback of

structural performance, assisting in development of structures with higher utility
and lower manufacturing costs. Structural Health Monitoring nowadays continues
to advance from conventional strain gauges to FBG Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS) and
major breakthroughs in wireless remote monitoring. Fibre optic sensors use
optical wavelength of fibre Bragg grating to measure
temperature and strain. FOS has many advantages over the traditional electrical
system such as:
Suitable for long-term permanent SHM: monitor structure during construction
stage and whole lifespan as well
No calibration needed
One cable can have hundreds of the sensors
Simple installation
Cable can run kilometres, no length limit
Fibre optic sensors use light signal - no electrical sparking, intrinsically safe
Gauge length can be few metres long to measure global behaviours of
structures
Suitable for both static and dynamic measurement
The primary of monitoring is to ensure the longevity and safety of the structure
as well as optimizing its management. To implement corrective measures and
maintenance action, monitoring must be enable the timely detection of any
condition or behaviour that could deteriorate the structure, deem it unsafe or
potentially results in its failure.
The monitoring programme plays a fundamental role during the construction
phase as it enables the verification of design hypotheses and construction
processes, affecting, in some cases, the construction rate of the structures and
overall quality. Most defects are introduced already at the time of construction.
Monitoring also allows performance evaluation of new materials and technologies
used in bridge construction and rehabilitation. This objective is easily achieved
with fibre optic sensors since these sensors effectively integrate in new
materials such as fibrereinforced polymer composite.
Furthermore, fibre optic sensors adapt perfectly to long-term monitoring of
bridges behaviour as well as short-term monitoring of bridges dynamic
behaviour under traffic load.

Finally, monitoring can be used as a tool for supervised lifetime extension of

bridges approaching the end of their life or in need of major repair. It ensures that
such bridges are operated safely while allowing the postponement of major
investments and traffic disruption.

b- Town Planning and Urban Development:

To achieve the objectives of making metropolis cities more livable and of
international standard, a co-coordinated and integrated approach among the
various agencies involved in urban development and provision of services are
needed including participatory process in planning and implementation at local
body levels. As well as to have planned and organized disposal of population
through growth centres, which will acts as counter-magnets to the cities growth.
This growth may not able to withstand the existing infrastructure, traffic, road,
drainage and utility networks etc. Advance urban planning is required for a
planned development of the area for which up to date real time and accurate
information are the vital important. Geographical Information system
& Remote Sensing is inevitable technology in the development of national
Infrastructure and planning and they provide solution related to many
environmental.

Applications of Remote Sensing to Hydrology and Hydrogeology

The Hydrological Cycle
A brief overview of hydrological processes will help to set a framework for
describing those areas where remote sensing can assist in observing and in
managing water resource system. Generally speaking, the hydrological cycle
traces water through different physical processes, from liquid water through
evaporation into the atmosphere, back into the liquid (or sometimes the frozen)
state as precipitation falling on land areas either run off into rivers and streams,
or percolate into the soil, or evaporate. Moisture reaching the water table
becomes ground water. As a general rule, both surface and ground water flow
under the force of gravity toward streams and lakes, and ultimately oceans. The
return of water to the oceans can thought of as completing the cycle.

Precipitation
Accurate measurement of precipitation is a continuing goal in meteorological
research and a continuing need in hydrology which depends greatly on these data
for modelling. Ground-based radar is probably the most accurate method of
determining a real precipitation in use today. Satellite images from GOES, NOAA,
TIROS-N, TRMM and NIMBUS opened a whole new world of data on
clouds and frontal systems. Work carried out by several researchers has led to
the following conclusions:
A. In thick clouds (more than one kilometer) rain is possible when the upper
surface of the cloud is at less that 15 C.
B. The probability of rain is inversely proportional to the temperature of the
upper surface of the cloud.
C .Precipitation intensity is directly proportional to the area of the upper surface
of the cloud at temperature of less than 15 C.

Snow
For the hydrologists who must forecast water levels, snow represents one of the
most complicated and most difficult to measure parameters. Snow extent,
distribution, water equivalent, water content, thickness and density all play a
large part in assessment of the snow-pack` s contribution to runoff. Snow pack
water equivalent has been measured by aircraft gamma-radiation surveys in the
USA. The method is based on the absorption of natural gamma radiation by water
(snow). As hydrologists come to accept
satellite remote-sensing data on snow mapping, they

also come to learn the limitations of satellite remote

sensing. Despite some indications that the reflectance
of snow may, under certain circumstances, be related
to the snow thickness.
Glaciers Glaciers play an important role in the hydrological cycle of many
mountainous areas. Terrestrial photography of glaciers was an important early
reference method. Traversing and conducting scientific studies on glaciers are
difficult, and glacieologists were quick to appreciate the value of remote sensing,
first from aircraft, later from satellites ( Landsat, HCMM, NIMBUS and IceSat
etc).
Surface Water:
One of the best known applications of remote sensing to water resources is the
inventorying of surface water bodies, particularly streams, lakes, marshes and
bogs, within a given region. The area covered by open water is readily delineated
by various remote- sensing techniques because of the particular radiation
characteristics of water. Decreased reflectivity of soils moisturized at the surface
facilities the delineation of recently flooded areas, if these are barren. The
delineation of floods in vegetation-covered areas is more difficult, but is possible
either by use of radar or through a combination of radiation and topographic data.
Remotely sensed data obtained on flood-plain characteristics can be combined
with data obtained during floods for flood mapping and delineating flood hazard
areas. Characteristics of river channel such as width, depth, roughness, degree of
tortuousity and braiding can also be obtained from remote-sensing surveys.

Ground Water
Ground water is concerned with water in the saturated zones beneath the surface

of the Earth. Ground water information most useful to water resource managers
includes: the presence or absence of ground water in designated areas, the depth
to ground water, the quantity and quality of water available for development,
recharge rates to aquifer, the possible impact of pumping on land subsidence, a
real extent of the aquifer, locations of recharge and discharge areas, and the
interaction between withdrawals at wells and natural discharge into rivers.
Whereas

this

information

is

generally

sought

by

hydrogeologists

using

conventional methods, remote sensing can help in the planning of conventional

measurements and can be used to estimate some hydrogeological variables
quantitatively and others qualitativelyThe storage capacity of ground water
reservoirs depends on their extent, which depends on geological properties of the
area. Ground water forms the base flow for many streams and is the source of
water for springs and seeps..

Applications in Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of water on the Earth's surface, whether flowing above
ground, frozen in ice or snow, or retained by soil. Hydrology is inherently
related to many other applications of remote sensing, particularly forestry,
agriculture and land cover, since water is a vital component in each of these
disciplines. Most hydrological processes are dynamic, not only between years,
but

also

within

and

between

seasons,

and

therefore

require

frequent

observations. Remote sensing offers a synoptic view of the spatial distribution

and dynamics of hydrological phenomena, often unattainable by traditional

ground surveys. Radar has brought a new dimension to hydrological studies

with its active sensing capabilities, allowing the time window of image
acquisition to include inclement weather conditions or seasonal or diurnal
darkness.

Examples of hydrological applications include:

wetlands mapping and monitoring,

soil moisture estimation,

snow pack monitoring / delineation of extent,

measuring snow thickness,

determining snow-water equivalent,

river and lake ice monitoring,

flood mapping and monitoring,

glacier dynamics monitoring (surges, ablation)

river /delta change detection

drainage basin mapping and watershed modelling

irrigation canal leakage detection

irrigation scheduling

Applications of Remote Sensing in Weather Forecasting and

Warnings
A- Applications of meteorological satellites
Meteorological satellites are indispensable in weather forecasting and warning
services. Because of their huge areal coverage, meteorological satellite images
can be used to keep. track of weather systems days before they come close to an
area. This is particularly useful in monitoring severe weather systems like tropical
cyclones. The very basic application of meteorological satellite is in identification
of clouds. Clouds can be broadly classified into three categories according to the
cloud base height, namely, low, medium and high clouds. Some clouds, such as
cumulonimbus (a type of thundery clouds), span the three layers. Different clouds
have different characteristics in terms of shape and pattern and have different
tones

in

the

visible

and

infrared

images.

These

differences

enable

the

identification of clouds using a combination of the visible and the infrared images.

For instance, fog and low dense clouds are characterized by their sharp boundary
and smooth texture on satellite image. They appear in bright white to medium
gray tone on the visible image, but in dark to medium gray colour on infrared
image. Thundery clouds such as cumulonimbus, however, contains abundant
moisture and extends to great height. They appear in globular shape and are in
very bright tone on both the visible and infrared images. Apart from identification
of clouds, meteorological satellites are widely used in many areas of applications.
Here below are some examples:
An excellent tool in unravelling volcanic ash beneath clouds. The operating
principle is that volcanic ash and clouds exhibit different characteristics in the
IR1 and IR2 infrared images.

Remote sensing application in geomorphology

Geomorphology

is

the

science

of

study

of

the

landforms

of

the

earth

Geomorphological analysis of surface forms of the earth is a direct form of

interpretation from space images. Aerial photos with required forward overlap
usually provide the third dimension of height, which adds to the precision of
interpretation including morphometry. Geomorphology as a science developed
much later than geology although several aspects of geomorphology are
embedded in geological processes. Geomorphology deals with the genesis of
relief forms of the surface of the earths crust. Certain natural processes are
responsible for the forms of the surface of the earth. A thorough understanding of
various

processes

leading

to

landforms

is

necessary

to

understand

the

environment in which we live. Remote sensing is an effective tool in this

understanding, as aerospace images contain integrated information of all that is
on the ground, the landform, the ecology, the resources contained in the area and
the impact of human actions on the natural landscape. The dynamism with which
changes occur in the landscape is brought out effectively by repeated coverage of
images of the same area at different times. Images convey many things even to
the untrained eye and for a professional it conveys much more including many
features hitherto unknown or unseen on the ground.

Geomorphology - basic concepts The earths surface forms are primarily due to
hypogene or endogenous processes, which include diastrophism, leading to
geologic structure, tectonic activity and volcanism leading to volcanic landforms.

These forms are modified by epigene or exogenous processes, which include

erosion and depositional activities of water, wind and ice. Other activities include
weathering, mass wasting or movement of material by gravitational action, landocean interaction resulting in landforms due to waves, currents, tides and
tsunamis. Climate is another important factor, which has relevance in shaping of
the earths surface because the processes that act upon the surface material are
different in different climatic zones
For example, limestone forms hills in a dry climate whereas in wet climate, it
forms Karst topography with sink holes, caves and caverns predomination.

Remote Sensing applications in Agriculture

Introduction
Agriculture resources are among the most important renewable, dynamic natural
resources. Comprehensive, reliable and timely information on agricultural
resources is very much necessary for a country like India whose mainstay of the
economy is agriculture. Agriculture survey are presently conducted throughtout
the nation in order to gather information and associated statistics on crops,
rangeland, livestock and other related agricultural resources. These information
of data are most importance for the implementation of effective management
decisions at local, panchayat and district levels. In fact, agricultural survey is a
backbone of planning and allocation of the limited resources to different sectors
of the economy.
With increasing population pressure throughout the nation and the concomitant
need for increased agricultural production (food and fiber crops as well as
livestock) there is a definite need for improved management of the nation
agricultural resources. In order to accomplish this, it is first necessary to obtain
reliable data on not only the types, but also the quality, quantity and location of
these resources.
Remote sensing and its Importance in Agricultural survey
Remote sensing is nothing but a means to get the reliable information about an
object without being in physical contact with the object. It is on the observation
of an object by a device separated from it by some distance utilizing the
characteristics response of different objects to emissions in the electromagneti
energy is measured in a number of spectral bands for the purpose of

identification of the object.

In such study single tabular form of data or map data is not sufficient enough
which can provide can be, combined with information's obtained from existing
maps and tabular data.

Remote Sensing techniques using various plate form has provide its
utility in agricultural survey

Satellite data provides the actual synoptic view of large are at a time,
which is not possible from conventional survey methods.

The process of data acquisition and analysis is very fast through

Geographic Information System (GIS) as compared to conventional
methods.

Remote Sensing techniques have a unique capability of recording data in visible

as well as invisible (i.e. ultraviolet, reflected infrared, thermal infrared and
microwave etc.) part of electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore certain
phenomenon, which cannot be seen by human eye, can be observed through
remote sensing techniques i.e. the trees, which are affected by disease, or insect
attack can be detected by remote sensing techniques much before human eyes
see them.
Present system of Generating agricultural data and its Problems
The present system of agricultural data is collected throughout the nation. The
main responsibility of collection agricultural survey lies on the Director of Land
Records, Director of agriculture and District Statistical Office under the Ministry
of Agriculture. These data are collected not only on a local but also some extent
of district and state level. The associate of agricultural survey on crops (crop
production, type of crop and crop yield), range land (condition of range, forest
type, water quality, types of irrigation system and soilcharacteristics) and
livestock (livestock population, sex of animal, types of farm and distribution of
animals).
The basic problems in this survey are;

Reliability of data

Cost and benefits

Timeless

Incomplete sample frame and sample size

Methods of selection

Measurement of area

Non sampling errors

Gap in geographical coverage

Non availability of statistics at disaggregated level.

Remote Sensing techniques make it use before the remote sensing data may
provide solution to these particular problems of agricultural survey.
Advantages of Remote Sensing techniques in Agricultural survey
With the primary aim of improving the present means of generating agricultural
data, a number of specific advantages may result form the use of remote sensing
techniques.
1. Vantage point
Because the agricultural landscape depends upon the sun as a source of
energy, it is exposed to the aerial view and, consequently, is ideally suited
or remote sensing techniques.
2. Coverage
With the use of high-altitude sensor platforms, it is now possible to
record extensive areas on a single image. The advent of high-flying
aircraft and satellites, single high quality images covering thousand of
square miles
3. Permanent record
After an image is obtained, it serves as a permanent record of a landscape
at a point in time which agriculture changes can be monitored and
evaluated.
4. Mapping Base
Certain types of remote sensing imagery are, in essence, pictorial maps of
the landscape and after rectification (if needed), allow for precise
measurement (such as field acreages) to be made on the imagery,
obviating time-consuming on the ground surveys. These images may also
aid ground data sampling by serving as a base map for location agriculture
features while in the field, and also as a base for the selection of ground
sampling point or areas.
5. Cost savings

The costs are relatively small when compared with the benefits, which
can be obtained form interpretation of satellite imagery.
6. Real-time capability
The rapidly with which imagery can be obtained and interpreted may help
to eliminate the lock of timeliness which plagues, so many agricultural
survey.
Other advantages of Remote Sensing

Easy data acquisition over inaccessible area.

Data acquisition at different scales and resolutions

The images are analyzed in the laboratory, thus reducing the amount of
fieldwork.

Colour composites can be produced from three individual band images,

which provide better details of the area then a single band image or aerial
photograph.

Stereo-satellite data may be used for three-dimensional studies. At

present, all advantages listed above have been demonstrated either
operationally or experimentally:

Application of Remote sensing techniques for Agricultural survey

The specific application of remote sensing techniques can be used for i)
detection ii) identification iii) measurement iv) monitoring of agricultural
phenomena.
Area of specific applications
a) Applicable to crop survey

1. Crop identification

10. Effects of fertilizes

2. Crop acreage

11. Soil toxicity

3. Crop vigor

12. Soil moisture

4. Crop density

13. Water quality

5. Crop maturity

14. Irrigation requirement

6. Growth rates

15. Insect infestations

7. Yield forecasting

16. Disease infestations

8. Actual yield

17. Water availability

9. Soil fertility

18. Location of canals

b) Applicable to range survey

1. Delineation of forest types

7. Water quality

2. Condition of range

8. Soil fertility

3. Carrying capacity

9. Soil moisture

4. Forage

10. Insect infestations

5. Time of seasonal change

11. Wildlife inventory

Applicable to livestock survey

1. Cattle population
2. Sheep population
3. Pig population
4. Poultry Population
5. Age sex distribution

6. Distribution of animals
7. Animal behavior
8. Disease identification
9. Types of farm buildings

Application of remote sensing in Seismology

A wide range of satellite methods is applied now in seismology. The first
applications of satellite data for earthquake exploration were initiated in the
70s, when active faults were mapped on satellite images. It was a pure and
simple extrapolation of airphoto geological interpretation methods into space.
The modern embodiment of this method is alignment analysis. Time series of
alignments on the Earth's surface are investigated before and after the
earthquake. A further application of satellite data in seismology is related with
geophysical methods. Electromagnetic methods have about the same long history
of application for seismology. Stable statistical estimations of ionospherelithosphere relation were obtained based on satellite ionozonds. The most
successful current project "DEMETER" shows impressive results. Satellite
thermal infra-red data were applied for earthquake research in the next step.
Numerous results have confirmed previous observations of thermal anomalies on

the Earth's surface prior to earthquakes. A modern trend is the application of the
outgoing long-wave radiation for earthquake research. Spectacular pictures of coseismic deformations were presented. Current researches are moving in the
direction of pre-earthquake deformation detection. GPS technology is also widely
used in seismology both for ionosphere sounding and for ground movement
detection. Satellite gravimetry has demonstrated its first very impressive results
on the example of the catastrophic Indonesian earthquake in 2004. Relatively new
applications of remote sensing for seismology as atmospheric sounding, gas
observations, and cloud analysis are considered as possible candidates for
applications.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
1) Andhra Pradesh government proposes 8 capital zones based on remote
sensing.
2) China has launched remote sensing satellite Yaogan-23 from Taiyuan Satellite
Launch Centre. It was carried by a Long March-2C rocket, marking the 198th
mission for the Long March rocket family.
3) Cartosat-3 is the fifth satellite of the Cartosat series of satellites from ISRO,
the current generation of Indian remote sensing satellites, which are intended
to replace the IRS series. Cartosat-1 has a resolution of 2.5 m with stereo
imaging capability